“Kick-Ass” Coffee Alternatives

Coffee, coffee, coffee! Just about everyone loves coffee, and I am no exception. Coffee gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning, to hold a hot comforting mug in your hand, to gather in a “klatch” with your pals to discuss last night’s reality TV and to break up your day with a trip to Starbuck’s. I get it! I really do! There’s just something about coffee that makes the whole world buzz. That is why giving up coffee was the single hardest thing for me to do when I adopted my vegan lifestyle.

Yes, you can still be vegan and drink coffee with soy milk or your favorite non-dairy milk or creamer. In fact, I recently fell off the wagon and started drinking coffee again after having been off the stuff for almost four years. But I started to feel crummy, which was really hard for me because I had been feeling amazing for so many years. Although I am not a doctor or a certified nutritionist, I attribute this crummy feeling to my coffee consumption. Hence, I have quit coffee once again.

There have been many articles and news’ reports over the past few years praising the health benefits of coffee. Some of these claimed health benefits have included preventing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, protecting against Parkinson’s disease and depression, protecting against certain types of cancer and providing a laxative effect. These claims may very well be valid, and I’m sure that there is scientific evidence to back them up. However, my common sense, logic, research, and instincts tell me that there are much better choices than coffee consumption to prevent medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression and constipation.

What about flooding your body with an abundance of fruits and vegetables to give your body the fiber and antioxidants it needs to fight these diseases, instead of relying upon coffee to do the trick? Dr. Neal Barnard’s new book entitled Power Foods For The Brain is aimed at using plant-based foods as medicine to prevent some of these diseases.

I urge you to consider the negative health effects of drinking coffee, as well as the supposed benefits. Coffee consumption has been known to increase loss of bone mineral density by stealing calcium which can be lost through urine, leading to osteoporosis. Coffee, particularly when unfiltered, may contribute to high cholesterol levels. Caffeinated coffee may also cause raised blood pressure levels and increased homocysteine levels in the blood, presenting a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. Since coffee is a diuretic, drinkers of coffee are at risk of dehydration. Drinking coffee may also cause sleep disturbances and, because it is highly acidic, can upset your body chemistry. This is why it is considered a “no-no” in macrobiotics and Ayurvedic medicine. These are just some of the negative health effects of drinking coffee.

You may be wondering how I deal with my coffee cravings. My answer: find a great substitute! It’s just a matter of experimenting with different products to find ones that will help you kick your habit. Although you may not feel that life is worth living without your daily “cuppa joe” (and I get that), isn’t it worth a try to find some replacements that you may like even better? Okay, maybe not “better” but something enjoyable nevertheless?

Here are my suggestions for Kick-Ass Coffee Alternatives…

1. Guayakí Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate is made from the naturally caffeinated and nourishing leaves of the celebrated South American rainforest holly tree. Although it contains the same stimulants as coffee, including caffeine, it does not have the same high acidity content. Moreover, Yerba Mate also contains an abundance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for a coffee replacement.

Yerba Mate can be prepared in many ways: in a coffee machine, in a French Press or in the same way you would prepare tea. I like the Guayakí brand, which comes in a wide range of flavors and varieties. You could buy loose leaves, individual bags or ready-made drinks. My new favorite morning drinks are made with Guayakí’s individual bags in either the Chai Spice Mate or the Mate Chocolatté flavors, to which I add steamed soy milk, a touch of Stevia and sprinkle with cinnamon or cacao powder (I use my Starbuck’s Verismo Milk Frother to steam my soy milk).

Guayakí Yerba Mate

2. Teeccino

Teeccino is a fabulous coffee alternative that is made from herbs, grains, fruits and nuts. There are many flavors and varieties of Teeccino, and they are all nutritious and certified organic. You would make Teeccino the same way that you would make coffee, and the various flavors also come in individual bags for an instant cup. Carob, Chicory Root, Barley, Dates, Figs, Almonds, Ramon Seeds and Dandelion Root are examples of Teeccino herbal coffee ingredients. You just have to experiment to find the flavors that you like best.

Teecino

3. Dandy Blend Instant Herbal Beverage With Dandelion

Yes, you read it correctly. This instant herbal beverage is made with the roasted roots of dandelion, chicory, beets, and the grains of barley and rye. It is also caffeine- and gluten-free, and has no acidity or bitterness. The Dandy Blend is my favorite coffee substitute, especially with Organic Wildwood soy creamer, my favorite brand. Not only is it nutritious but also simple to make. Just add one teaspoonful into a cup of hot or cold liquid!

Dandy Blend Instant Herbal Beverage With Dandelion

4. Naturalis INKA

Naturalis INKA is an instant grain beverage that has been enjoyed by Polish families for generations. It is made from Rye, Roasted Barley, Beets and Chicory Root.

Naturalis INKA Instant Grain Beverage

5. Kaffree Roma

Kaffree Roma is another popular instant grain beverage made with roasted barley malt and a touch of chicory. It is all natural and acid-free.

Kaffree Roma

6. Cafix

Cafix is an all-natural beverage also made from barley, chicory, malted barley, figs and extracts of beet. It has a coffee-like flavor, very low acidity and no artificial ingredients, and is non-GMO. I have never tried Cafix, but I like the idea that it is also available in the form of instant beverage “crystals.”

Cafix All-Natural Instant Beverage

7. Pero

Pero is yet another coffee substitute made with malted barley, chicory and rye. I have never tried Pero, but I know that it’s quite popular. As with all of the grain coffee beverages, it’s just a matter of finding one that you like.

Pero All-Natural Coffee Substitute

8. Green Tea And All Other Varieties Of Tea

Tea is by far my favorite substitute for coffee. Green tea has been known to be one of the healthiest beverages you can drink, and Matcha Green Tea is “off the charts” miraculous. Click here to read about my favorite varieties of loose-leaf tea. When I go to Starbuck’s with friends, I always order a Tazo Chai tea bag with steamed soy milk (i.e., a grande “chai tea soy misto”…no syrup flavoring). I make my own version at home too with my Starbuck’s Verismo Milk Frother.

Matcha Green Tea

I hope you enjoyed this post about kickin’ the coffee habit, and I truly hope that you will at least consider nixing coffee from your life. I truly believe that drinking coffee can wreak havoc on your health despite some of the current evidence to the contrary. Again, I am no expert but am asking you to try it and see how you feel.

Debby

xoxoxo